Signal processing apparatus for a liquid crystal display

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided with processing units capable of reducing the number of signal processing means and the number of adjustments of a delay time between reversal and non-reversal of video-signal polarity in each of two signal paths in an arrangement in which two liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) are provided in a head-mounted display worn by an observer and each of the two displays is used to display video information viewed by the observer. The signal processing apparatus includes first and second signal sources (1 and 2) each of which generates a video signal, reversing unit 7 for reversing the polarity of one of the two video signals, first selector selectively supplying one of the video signals to the reversing unit, first and second display units (3 and 4) for converting the video signals to respective ones of optical signals, and second selector for selectively supplying a video signal whose polarity is or is not reversed by the reversing unit to the first and second display units.

Description: This invention relates to an image signal processing apparatus for displaying an image. More particularly, the invention relates to a signal processing apparatus for displaying signals from two signal sources on each of two display units. When video information is displayed on a display device such as a liquid-crystal display (referred to as an "LCD" hereinafter), it is necessary to prevent a residual image caused by DC components in the video signal. In the prior art, this is accomplished by using a method in which the polarity of the video signal is reversed at fixed periods. Further, head-mounted displays worn by an observer have been proposed in which two LCDs are used and video information for the left and right eyes of the observer is displayed on respective ones of the LCDs. When two LCDs are used, however, it is necessary that the video signal be reversed in polarity on each signal path at fixed periods. One conventional method of achieving this is to provide each signal path with signal processing means for polarity reversal and signal processing means for no reversal of polarity and switch between the two means in each signal path. Another method is to provide each signal path with one signal processing means capable of switching between reversed/non-reversed polarity, and switch the polarity of the signal processing means per se to thereby change over the polarity of the video signal. However, with the method of providing the signal processing means for reversal and non-reversal in the prior art described above, there are too many signal processing means. And with the method of providing the signal processing means that can be switched between reversal/non-reversal and changing over the polarity of this signal processing means, it is necessary to adjust the amount of delay between reversal time and non-reversal time in each signal processing means. Further, methods of displaying a three-dimensional image on a display unit have been proposed in the prior art. According to one method, video signals representing left- and right-eye images of an object, in which the images differ by an amount corresponding to parallax between the two eyes of the observer, are fed into a display unit such as CRT so as to alternate between the left eye image field and the right eye image field of the object. The observer wears a device such as glasses having a shutter function. By opening and closing the shutters synchronously with the changeover between the video signals for the left and right eyes, the image for the left eye is sent to the left eye and the image for the right eye is sent to the right eye, whereby three-dimensional vision is obtained. With this example of the prior art, however, a circuit is required for switching between the two video signals every field in order to obtain three-dimensional vision. In addition, the glasses having the shutter function must be worn and the shutter must be opened and closed synchronously with the images. Furthermore, even if this approach is adopted, flicker is produced since the image seen by only one eye occurs every other field. Document US-A-5,041,823 discloses a signal processing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. An object of the present invention is to provide means through which the number of signal processing means can be reduced as well as the number of adjustments of delay time between reversal and non-reversal of video-signal polarity. According to the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved by a signal processing apparatus according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the present invention are as set out in the dependent claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designated the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a first embodiment of a signal processing apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus includes a first signal source 1 for outputting a first video signal, a second signal source 2 for outputting a second video signal, a first display unit 3 for displaying the first video signal from the first signal source 1, a second display unit 4 for displaying the second video signal from the second signal source 2, a first- driver 5 for supplying the first display unit 3 with the first video signal, a second driver 6 for supplying the second display unit 4 with the second video signal, a reversing unit 7 for reversing the polarity of the video signal from the first source 1 or second signal source 2, a first selector 8 for selectively inputting the video signal from the first source 1 or second signal source 2 to the reversing unit 7, a second selector 9 for selectively supplying the first driver 5 and the second driver 6 with the reversed video signal by the reversing unit 7, and a controller 10 for counting horizontal scanning signals of the signal sources 1, 2 and controlling the operation of the first selector 8 and second selector 9. The operation of this embodiment will now be described. The first and second video signals are outputted by the first and second signal sources, 1, 2, respectively. The controller 10 counts the horizontal scanning signals of each of the video signals entering from the signal sources 1, 2. Upon discriminating an odd-numbered line, the controller 10 connects the first selector 8 to terminals b and d so as to input the first video signal to the reversing unit 7. At this time the second video signal is not fed into the reversing unit 7 but is applied directly to the second selector 9. The first video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 has its polarity reversed and is then outputted to the second selector 9. Next, the second selector 9 is connected to terminals f and h so that the first video signal of reversed polarity is applied to the first driver 5 and the second video signal is applied to the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. Upon discriminating an even-numbered line when counting the horizontal scanning lines, the controller 10 connects the first selector 8 to terminals a and c so as to input the second video signal to the reversing unit 7. At this time the first video signal is not fed into the reversing unit 7 but is applied directly to the second selector 9. The second video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 has its polarity reversed and is then outputted to the second selector 9. Next, the second selector 9 is connected to terminals e and g so that the first video signal is applied to the first driver 5 and the second video signal of reversed polarity is applied to the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. It should be noted that if the first and second signal sources 1, 2 are not in synchronism with each other when the controller 10 counts the horizontal scanning signals, the controller 10 applies feedback to the first and second signal sources to synchronize them. By thus changing over the signal applied to the reversing unit 7 line by line, the single reversing unit 7 can be shared by the two signal paths. Further, a method may be adopted in which the changeover of the video signal applied to the reversing unit 7 is performed not every line but every several lines, randomly in line units, every pixel or randomly every pixel. It is permissible to adopt an arrangement in which, regardless of the method, the controller 10 counts the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has been performed and makes the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has not taken place the same on a per-screen basis. Further, if polarity reversal is performed pixel by pixel, the percentage of the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place should be made the same on a per-line basis. Further, an arrangement may be adopted in which one screen is partitioned into a plurality of blocks and the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place are made the same in percentage on a per-block basis. (Second Embodiment) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a second embodiment of a signal processing apparatus according to the present invention. Numerals 1 through 7 and numeral 10 denote components identical with (corresponding to) components in the-first embodiment; these components need not be described again. The characterizing feature of the second embodiment is the provision of first and second delay units 11, 12 for subjecting the video signals to a delay time equivalent to the delay imposed by operation of the reversing unit 7. The first delay unit 11 is provided between the terminals a, e of the first and second selectors 8, 9, respectively, and the second delay unit 12 is provided between the terminals d, h of the first and second selectors 8, 9, respectively. The first selector 8 selectively applies the video signal from the first signal source 1 to the reversing unit 7 or the delay unit 11 and selectively applies the video signal from the second signal source 2 to the reversing unit 7 or the delay unit 12. The second selector 9 supplies either the video signal reversed in polarity by the reversing unit 7 or the video signal delayed by the delay unit 11 to the driver 5, and supplies either the video signal reversed in polarity by the reversing unit 7 or the video signal delayed by the delay unit 12 to the driver 6. In operation, the first and second video signals are outputted by the first and second signal sources, 1, 2, respectively. The controller 10 counts the horizontal scanning signals of each of the video signals entering from the signal sources 1, 2. Upon discriminating an odd-numbered line, the controller 10 connects the first selector 8 to terminals b and d so as to input the first video signal to the reversing unit 7. At this time the second video signal is not fed into the reversing unit 7 but is applied to the delay unit 12. The first video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 has its polarity reversed and is then outputted to the second selector 9. The second video signal which has entered the delay unit 12 is delayed by a period of time identical to that required by the operation of the reversing unit 7. The delayed video signal is then delivered to the second selector 9. Next, the second selector 9 is connected to terminals f and h so that the first video signal of reversed polarity is applied to the first driver 5 and the second video signal is applied to the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. Upon discriminating an even-numbered line when counting the horizontal scanning lines, the controller 10 connects the first selector 8 to terminals a and c so as to input the second video signal to the reversing unit 7. At this time the first video signal is not fed into the reversing unit 7 but is applied to the delay unit 11. The second video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 has its polarity reversed and is then outputted to the second selector 9. The first video signal which has entered the delay unit 11 is delayed by a period of time identical to that required by the operation of the reversing unit 7. The delayed video signal is then delivered to the second selector 9. Next, the second selector 9 is connected to terminals e and g so that the first video signal is applied to the first driver 5 and the second video signal of reversed polarity is applied to the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. It should be noted that if the first and second signal sources 1, 2 are not in synchronism with each other when the controller 10 counts the horizontal scanning signals, the controller 10 applies feedback to the first and second signal sources to synchronize them. By thus changing over the signal applied to the reversing unit 7 line by line, the single reversing unit 7 can be shared by the two signal paths. Further, a method may be adopted in which the changeover of the video signal applied to the reversing unit 7 is performed not every line but every several lines, randomly in line units, every pixel or randomly in pixel units. It is permissible to adopt an arrangement in which, regardless of the method, the controller 10 counts the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has been performed and makes the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has not taken place the same on a per-screen basis. Further, if polarity reversal is performed pixel by pixel, the percentage of the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place should be made the same on a per-line basis. Further, an arrangement may be adopted in which one screen is partitioned into a plurality of blocks and the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place are made the same in percentage on a per-block basis. (Third Embodiment) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a third embodiment of a signal processing apparatus according to the present invention. Numerals 1 through 7 denote components identical with (corresponding to) components in the first embodiment; these components need not be described again. A first selector 8A is for selectively inputting the video signal from the first signal source 1 to the reversing unit 7 and delay unit 11 and for selectively inputting the video signal from the second signal source 2 to the reversing unit 7 and delay unit 11. A second selector 9A is for selectively supplying the video signal reversed in polarity by the reversing unit 7 to the drivers 5 and 6, and for selectively supplying the video signal delayed by the delay unit 11 to the drivers 5 and 6. A controller 10A is for counting horizontal scanning signals of the signal sources 1, 2 and controlling the operation of the first selector 8A and second selector 9A. The delay unit 11 subjects the video signals to a delay time equivalent to the delay imposed by operation of the reversing unit 7. In operation, the first and second video signals are outputted by the first and second signal sources, 1, 2, respectively. The controller 10A counts the horizontal scanning signals of each of the video signals entering from the signal sources 1, 2. Upon discriminating an odd-numbered line, the controller 10A connects the first selector 8A to terminals b and c so as to input the first video signal to the reversing unit 7 and the second video signal to the delay unit 11. The first video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 has its polarity reversed and is then outputted to the second selector 9A. The second video signal which has entered the delay unit 11 is delayed by a period of time identical to that required by the operation of the reversing unit 7. The delayed video signal is then delivered to the second selector 9A. Next, the second selector 9A is connected to terminals j and k so that the first video signal of reversed polarity is applied to the first driver 5 and the delayed second video signal is applied to the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. Upon discriminating an even-numbered line when counting the horizontal scanning lines, the controller 10A connects the first selector 8A to terminals a and d so as to input the second video signal to the reversing unit 7 and input the first video to the delay unit 11. In the same manner as when the odd-numbered line is discriminated, the second video signal which has entered the reversing unit 7 is reversed in polarity and then delivered to the second selector 9A. The first video signal inputted to the delay unit 11 is delayed by a period of time identical to that required for the reversing unit 7 to operate, and the delayed video signal is then delivered to the second selector 9A. Next, the second selector 9A is connected to terminals i , j so that the delayed first video signal enters the first driver 5 and the second video signal reversed in polarity enters the second driver 6, whence the first and second video signals are supplied to the first and second display units 3, 4, respectively. It should be noted that if the first and second signal sources 1, 2 are not in synchronism with each other when the controller 10A counts the horizontal scanning signals, the controller 10A applies feedback to the first and second signal sources to synchronize them. By thus switching the destinations of the first and second video signals between the reversing unit 7 and the delay unit 11 line by line, the single reversing unit 7 and the delay unit 11 can each be shared by the two signal paths. Further, a method may be adopted in which the changeover of the video signal applied to the reversing unit 7 is performed not every line but every several lines, randomly in line units, every pixel or randomly in pixel units. It is permissible to adopt an arrangement in which, regardless of the method, the controller 10A counts the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has been performed and makes the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of lines (number of pixels) in which signal reversal has not taken place the same on a per-screen basis. Further, if polarity reversal is performed pixel by pixel, the percentage of the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and the percentage of the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place should be made the same on a per-line basis. Further, an arrangement may be adopted in which one screen is partitioned into a plurality of blocks and the number of pixels in which reversal has taken place and of the number of pixels in which signal reversal has not taken place are made the same in percentage on a per-block basis. Thus, in accordance with the embodiments described above, one reversing unit can be shared by two signal paths by switching between signals, which are applied to the reversing unit, every line. Further, one reversing unit and one delay unit can be shared by two signal lines by switching destinations of the first and second video signals between the reversing unit 7 and the delay unit 11 every line. This makes it possible to simplify the apparatus by reducing the number of signal processors or the number of delays which are applied at the time of reversal/non-reversal.

Claims: A signal processing apparatus comprising: reversing means ( 7 ) for reversing polarity of a video signal; mode selecting and executing means ( 8, 9, 10 ) for alternately and periodically selecting and then executing a first mode and a second mode at a prescribed time interval; characterized in that said first mode is for displaying a first video signal ( 1 ) on a first display means ( 3 ) and inputting a second video signal ( 2 ) to said reversing means ( 7 ) to reverse the polarity of the second video signal and then display the second video signal on second display means ( 4 ); and said second mode is for inputting the first video signal ( 1 ) to said reversing means ( 7 ) to reverse the polarity of the first video signal and then display the first video signal on said first display means ( 3 ), and displaying the second video signal ( 2 ) on said second display means ( 4 ). The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mode selecting and executing means includes first ( 8, a, b, c, d ) and second ( 9, e, f, g, h ) selecting means; said first selecting means ( 8, a, b, c, d ) alternately and periodically selecting one of the first ( 1 ) and second ( 2 ) video signals at a prescribed time interval, inputting this video signal to said reversing means ( 7 ) and inputting the other video signal to second selecting means ( 9, e, f, g, h ); and said second selecting means ( 9, e, f, g, h ) alternately and periodically selecting and then executing, at a prescribed time interval, an operation in which the video signal whose polarity has been reversed by said reversing means ( 7 ) and the other video signal are inputted to said first ( 3 ) and second ( 4 ) display means, respectively, and an operation in which the video signal whose polarity has been reversed by said reversing means ( 7 ) and said other video signal are inputted to said second ( 4 ) and first ( 3 ) display means, respectively. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display one line of a video signal. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display a plurality of lines of a video signal. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display a random number of lines of a video signal. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display one pixel of a video signal. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display a plurality of pixels of a video signal. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said prescribed time interval is time required to display a random number of pixels of a video signal.

Inventors: TONOSAKI SATOSHI, YAMAZAKI YASUYUKI, TONOSAKI, SATOSHI, YAMAZAKI, YASUYUKI
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H04N13
IPC codes: H04N13